Types of Mosquitoes in Oklahoma

It might surprise you to learn there are sixty different types of mosquitoes active in Oklahoma. Fortunately, most people won’t have to deal with all or even most of them. But, the bad news is, there are several types of mosquitoes in Oklahoma that most people will have to deal with at some point.

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying, though they are definitely that. Their itchy bites can ruin a fun backyard get-together, and if you’re one of those people who are especially sensitive to mosquito bites, you could be scratching and miserable for days. Worse yet, these pests are capable of transmitting serious illnesses to us and our furry friends.

Also, you can’t always get a break from mosquitoes by going inside. They can slip through an open door with you when you head back into the house to escape them. If you have plants growing in planters inside your home or … Read Full Post »

There Are Termites in My Carpet: What Can I Do?

Finding what seems to be termites in your carpet is a worrying experience for any homeowner, as termites can cause a lot of damage. Most people would expect to find these pests someplace where there’s wood, but termites in carpet? Though that’s not where most people might expect to see them, this is entirely possible.

If you find termites in your carpet, the first thing to do is to determine whether they actually are termites or if they are some other type of pest. Termites look a lot like large, winged ants, and many people can’t tell the two apart. There are some differences you can look for, though, to determine which type of pest you’re dealing with.

Termite Identification Tips

The first thing you should know if you are trying to determine if what you saw is a termite is that these creatures have bodies that are long and straight. Ants’ bodies, … Read Full Post »

Silverfish Infestations: What A Homeowner Should Know

August 15, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

Have you noticed a small wingless, silver-colored bug in your home with a flat, oval-shaped body, long antennae and six legs? If so, you may have the beginning of a silverfish infestation.

Silverfish are medically harmless to humans and mostly a nuisance for homeowners. These creatures can stain clothing, contaminate food and damage paper goods. Silverfish are more common in humid environments, so you are more likely to find them in bathrooms, attics and crawl spaces. Silverfish are very quick, so if discovered, these creatures often dart away, making them difficult to catch or identify.

Silverfish problems can be difficult for homeowners to control on their own. Usually, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of a silverfish problem is by calling in a pest control professional. We’ll now go into more detail about these pests so you have the information you need to make an informed decision about how to … Read Full Post »

Spotting Lyme Disease from Ticks

August 8, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

In recent years, the population of ticks has increased on a worldwide scale. This means that you are more likely than ever to find an unwanted passenger attached to your skin after spending time outdoors. Aside from being gross, ticks feeding on your blood can also be dangerous. These parasites are carriers of numerous types of disease, and the most common culprit is Lyme disease.

If you spent time outside or noticed tick bites on your skin recently, it is important to be on the look out for any signs or symptoms of disease. The earlier Lyme disease is caught, the better. Here are some tips for spotting Lyme disease from ticks from our team at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

What do ticks look like?

The first step to determining whether or not you might have contracted a disease from a tick is affirming that a tick definitely did bite you. There … Read Full Post »

Summer Mosquito Control

July 26, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

With warmer weather comes exposed skin, and mosquitoes just can’t seem to resist the feast. Nobody likes the itch red bumps mosquitoes leave behind, but did you know those bites can also be extremely dangerous?

Mosquitoes are carriers of deadly parasites that claim thousands of lives each year. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we want to help our customers better understand mosquitoes and learn how to protect themselves. Here are some facts about mosquitoes and tips for summer mosquito control.

Mosquito Facts

• There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes in the United States.
• Mosquitoes can transmit all of the following diseases: Malaria, Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Encephalitis, Chikungunya Virus.
• In addition to viruses that affect humans, mosquitoes can carry diseases that are extremely harmful to dogs and horses.
• Different mosquito species like different types of standing water for their larvae.
• Sites where mosquitoes lay their … Read Full Post »

5 Green Cleaning Ideas

July 19, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Community • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

One of the best ways to deter pests from thriving in your home is with a regular cleaning routine. However, if you are environmentally conscious, cleaning can feel practically toxic. So many modern cleaning supplies contain chemicals that are harmful to the ozone and the eco system.

At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we believe in reducing our impact on the environment whenever possible. We’ve done our research and rounded up some green cleaning solutions you can use to keep your home fresh without harming the earth. Here are our five green cleaning ideas:

1. Remove Stains and Odors with Lemon

Ever noticed how often cleaning chemicals are lemon scented? We have a tendency to associate lemons with cleanliness, but not everyone realizes this is founded in the fruit’s natural properties. Lemon juice is very acidic, so it works to deodorize and remove stains from surfaces naturally. Try mixing lemon with baking soda to … Read Full Post »

Fire Ant Prevention

July 12, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Ant Control, Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

Summer in south is known for many things, and unfortunately one of them is pesky fire ants. These creepy crawlers create nests all over your yard and venture into your home for food. If you encounter them, you might end up with some nasty stings.

If left untreated, fire ants can run rampant in your yard and even start nesting in or underneath your home. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we are fully equipped to handle even the nastiest fire ant infestations. But we want to help you prevent fire ants from overwhelming your yard before we have to resort to professional treatment.

Here are some things to know about fire ant prevention: how to spot them, and how to kill them.

Facts About Fire Ants

Fire ants range in size from 1.6 mm to 5 mm. They are a dull red color, which can look reddish brown or reddish black depending on … Read Full Post »

5 Common Summer Pests

July 5, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

If you haven’t guessed from the sight of sunburned shoulders and the sounds of kids enjoying temporary freedom from school, summer is officially in full swing. And while that means splashing in the pool, grilling in the back yard, and celebrating with fireworks, it also often means it is time for common summer pests to pay a visit to your home.

Being vigilant with preventative pest control and observing any potentially harmful insect populations in and around your home can be essential to reducing the likelihood of full-blown infestation. Are you wondering which creepy crawlies you should be looking for during this summer season?

At ABC Pest Control, we are proud to offer numerous solutions for getting rid of pesky insects year-round. Here is a list of five common summer pests we warn our customers to watch for during the hottest months of the year.

1. Fire Ants

After ants are finished hibernating through … Read Full Post »

Sprinkler and Irrigation Conservation Guide | Smart Irrigation Month

June 29, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Lawn Care, Sprinkler Repair & Installation • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

There are many ways to save water, but during the summer, the most effective water conservation improvements come from your sprinkler and irrigation system.

With just a little bit of knowledge, you can save water while keeping your landscaping healthy during hot, dry conditions.

Smart Irrigation Month Tips

Know how much water your lawn needs

The amount of water your lawn needs depends on a lot of different factors including climate, soil type and grass type.

The trick is to water deeply but infrequently. You get deep roots with deep watering. As a general rule of thumb, do not water more than 1-inch deep each time.

Measure your sprinkler output by placing some tuna cans (or a similarly sized, flat-bottomed container) around your lawn.
¾ to 1 inch of water is a good amount each time you irrigate.
You can get the average output by measuring the depth of water in each can and then dividing by the … Read Full Post »

Keep Pests Off Pets During the Dog Days of Summer

June 22, 2018. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Flea & Tick Control • Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler

You protect your home from pests, but what about your pet? Things only get worse during the dog days of summer.

Pests that love pets include fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and even bed bugs. These pests aren’t just annoying, they could be extremely dangerous. According to CDC data, “illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S.”—mostly due to warming temperatures. Many pests, especially biting insects, thrive in the heat. The diseases they may carry—Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—are also sensitive to temperature changes.

Some key findings of the CDC report include:

A total of 642,602 cases of disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea were reported in the U.S. and its territories from 2004 through 2016.
The number of reported tickborne diseases more than doubled in 13 years and accounted for more than 60 percent of all reported mosquito-borne, tickborne, and fleaborne disease cases.

With so … Read Full Post »

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